Very balanced, transparent, neutral, accurate bass.

Knobs and hardware issues.

I've owned the Aronov 960I for about 4 years now and continue to enjoy it immensely. I am sorry that a couple of the reviewers had bad experiences but I suspect those are not the norm. The thing I like most about my Aronov is that it sounds as close to live music as anything that I have listened to. The thing an amp should do is pass thru and amplify the source signal and nothing else and that is what the 960I does. I find it has a very accurate and not a "muddy" bass at all. If you find a "muddy" bass with the Aronov then you should probably suspect your speakers. Also, if you have a "veiled" sound with an Aronov then it might be your cabling or your source component. Another thing it could be is your line conditioner. I hope this helps anyone. I hope someday to upgrade to preamp and mono's.

solid build quality

muddy bass, misty soudstage

This is a steal...for the manufacturer that is.It's solid alright,but so are all the post war radio and t.v. sets of the era when the Aronov was obviously designed.This machine is a joke! It's 65 pounds should be consequent with equal weight in sonics... The hum is unbearable, the highs sound as if they have been covered by cotton, and the dual-mono volume switch is imprecise and a pain, really (It wouldn't if the trade-off was sonically worth it, but it's not)The previous reviewers of this amp must be working for dealers in a desperate attempt to sell this invisible, unknow, unreviewed piece of equipement in a long time. Do yourself a favor and audition any of the similary priced Conrads, Jadis, afnd Audiomat. Or better yet, get a fine solid state integrated...there are killer ones out there. Not a dealer but a very disapointed audiophile...

Similar Products Used:

Jadis Orchestra, Audiomat, CJ

Bass, Treble, Soundstage, .... all things, which are important for the musical presentation....

stock double volume-pots & stock 12AX7 tubes
slight noise with my 97dB horn-speakers

O.K. this is my second review about my beloved Aronov Integrated, but since my first one, there were a lot of changes in my whole chain....
I changed almost everything, to much better (and unfortunately also more expensive) stuff... BUT: I haven't found any better amp than my Aronov!!! YES, it is that good! I'm very happy with it, and I don't know how somebody can be so cruel and set this product to 1 star????

My chain (today):

Speaker: Zingali Horns (prof. Monitors 97 dB/W/m)
CD: Metronome transport & 96kHz DAC
Analog: Tuned Rega P3 (stone-base, tonearmlift...)
Transfiguration Spirit
EAR Phonostage
Cable: Speaker: Hovland
RCA: Harmonix Technology
Digital: JPS (best one)
Power: JPS, HMS, Marigo, Nirvana....
Tuner: Naim Nait2


There are a few important things for the best use of the Aronov:
1. Use a good powercord!
2. Set your amp on damping devices
3. Change the four 12AX7 tubes! I have tried Telefunken ECC83, but better and much cheaper are Amperex 7025 (equivalent!)
4. Change the two volume pots! I have built in stepped attenuators with 24 steps! Take the 50kOhm one! It's a very good thing to do!

If you have any questions, please send me a mail.

Similar Products Used:

New Audio Frontiers, SINGLE ENDED
Berning, OTL amp

Clean sound, Great bass with the right tubes

I have owned this amp now for 1 ½ years now. I also have The Audio Note Kit One 300b amp, highly modified. I listen to both for a week or two at a stretch. I prefer the Aronov 960i most of the time for it's better detail and precision. I like it a lot. I replace the 6550 tubes with KT-90's and the 12ax7 tubes with the new Sovtek 12ax7LP's. It sounds great with this combo. I use Von Schweikert VR-4 speakers and I do get excellent low bass out of this amp. There the KT 90's tubes really sing. I love the sound of tubes for music.

System

Room has acoustic panels front, sides, and back.
Von Schweikert VR-4 speakers
Marantz CD-17 MKII CD Player
Marantz ST-17 Tuner
Fulton Turntable
All cables, JPS Labs
Audio Note Kit 1 with pure copper chassis
Aronov 960I

Similar Products Used:

Audio Note Kit 1 300B amp

Bass, Soundstage, Imaging

Vibration difficult to identify and control. Manufacturer continues to increase price, without improving product

This is my second review of this product after owning and living with it for nearly two years. I've learned more about this amp, and would like to address some concerns I've written about and read from others.

First let me state, I am still very pleased with the performance of this amp. Currently, it is centered in my systems as follows:

Speakers: Dantax Vision II
CD Player: Electrocompaniet EMC-1
Amplification: Aronov LS960i (of course)
Line Conditioner: Bybee Signature
Power Cables: (2) Electra Glide Fat Man
(1) Electra Glide PT Glide SE
Interconnects: Music Metre Calibre
Speaker Cable: Synergistic Reseach Mark II
Stand: Premier Audio Stand
Accessories: Bybee Interconnect Filters
Bybee Ultra Speaker Filters
Vibrapods
Black Diamond Racing Cones
Orchard Bay Brass Cones w/Pucks
Ruby Tubes KT88 (4 matched)

I think my system sounds fantastic, and at the nerve center is the Aronov. Anything I could state here that would describe the sound has already been stated. Friends, and neighbors always comment about the imaging, or how natural the system sounds. One person seriously asked me where I hid my sub woofer.

A couple of discoveries.

First, this amp responds well to some degree of mechanical resonance control. Vibrapods worked OK. BDR Cones are better. Then my local dealer suggested I remove cover, the bottom plate, and the rubber feet, and try threading 3 BDR cones into the amp with a special screw. I placed (2) #3 cones into the back corners where the rubber feet were, and (1) #4 cone into the front center. This tightened up the bass and improved its clarity and focus.

Second, this amp likes power cords. I have the Electra Glide Fat Man. This is a better cord than the Fat Boy. This gave the amp more body and weight in the bass, but seemed to improve the midrange as well.

Third, this amp can be improved with new tubes. I've recently purchased a matched set of KT88s from a company called Ruby Tubes. This turned out to be a phenominal upgrade for only $120. Still more improvement in the bass and midrange. Better detailing, and imaging. Soundstage size improved both left to right as well as front to back. Others have utilized KT88s and KT90s with good results as well. The point here is that the stock 6550 tubes are fine, but can easily be bettered. I have not tried replacing the preamp tubes, but those will be next.

As far as complaints, I'm one of those who was plagued with that annoying intermittent hum. It frustrated me for a long time. I tightened the transformers, placed small pieces of anti-vibration material between metal to metal contact. What turned out to be the problem were a couple of loose nuts/screws on the tube sockets. These are tiny parts, but once tightened, the noise ceased. My amp has not hummed in months.

other annoyances...the left and right channel volume controls settings are about a half click off. I have to turn the right channel volume control up a half notch to match the SPL of the left channel to get things balanced and the images in focus.

Biggest complaint...Aronov keeps jacking up the price of thier products, but offer no improvements. I believe the product now retails for $4000. Two years ago it was something like $2500.

I sent a note to Aronov asking if they would ever consider offering some sort of upgrade path. Never got a response back.

Someone in a prior review mentioned not being able to sell their amp on the internet. I've seen these amps priced at approximately $1500 (give or take). For those of you reading these comments trying to decide on purchasing this amp used, $1500 is a very good price for this very good product. I wouldn't consider selling mine.

I'm giving the amp a 4 star value rating based on the $4000 retail price...this is a gouge. I'm giving this a 5 star rating overall because the amp is still great!!

WOW! Father and son Aronov reached the Olymp with their outstanding tubeamp.It's the first low-priced tubeamp which reaches the top. Deeper, faster bass than most solid-states with more "punch"(I've compared it e.g. with the Plinius amps). Mids and treble fast but also very natural. A great component for the smaller high-end budget.
Technic: Dual-mono (even two volume-pots) with ultralinear powerstage (class AB) and active pre-section. Contains 4 6550 tubes and 4 ECC83/12AX7 tubes which produce 60Watts.
I use this amp with the VR-4, a Metronome CD-Player, Rega with Transfiguration analog. That's it, Folks!

A very powerful and accurate 60 watt tube intergrated amp. Easily driving my speakers to high volumes and still maintains control. Time Out by Dave Burbeck sounds real at 75 db's. A great looking shining black 60 pound monster with a green Aronov light. Dual mono preamp section.
I also have a 300b amp that I love. The 300b is detailed and sweet. The Aronov 960i is not quit as sweet but more dynamic. High's are clean, voices great and bass is tight and accurate. This baby has found a new home.

The Aronov is one of the best buys for integrated amplification. I owned a Krell KAV300i previously, which is an excellent unit. But, compared to the Aronov - it was seriously outclassed in everyway except bass control (and that was minor).
Musical purity with a grainless midrange and coherence that is only available in the very exotic and expensive tube amplifiers.

On the downside - the finish on the unit is less than perfect. I agree with another reviewer here - the dual volume controls are a pain. But, I guess that is the price to pay for the sonic qualities.

This is not a short review. If you want the skinny...Awesome Amp! Buy it now! For long winded detail, read on...
I first learned of the Aronov amps about two years ago, when I read the review of the LS960I in Bound For Sound. I first listened to an Aronov a year ago, and had wanted one ever since. Last weekend, I finally purchased the Aronov integrated, and believe I've made the best decision (budget allowing) with respect to amplification currently available to audio consumers. That's a bold statement, but I would gladly put this integrated up against any int amp or preamp/amp in the $3000 range. I know everyone else who posted a review here feels the same way.

I have listened to several other products from Classe (CAP100), Krell (KAV300i), Mesa (Tigris), Rogue Audio, Anthem, Proceed, Linn, etc. These are all very good, but they never moved me quite like the Aronov.

I am in the process of overhauling my existing system, which consisted of a Marantz CD63SE, Jolida 502a integrated amp, Dantax Vision II speakers (relatively unknown, but very good), Music Metre interconnects, Synergistic Research Signature 2 speaker cables, Justarack stand, Black Diamond Racing Cones, and Vibrapod dampeners. The Marantz and Jolida are designated backups, until I can get my wallet off the injured reserved, and pick up some higher quality free agents and draft picks.

OK, so out with the Jolida and in with the Aronov. This beastly amp weighs in at 60 pounds, and left me with a sore lower back (bummer, nothing to do but listen to music).

How does it sound...amazing! After 100+ hours of burn in, I can say that my personal expectations have been exceeded! A first for me. Aronov amps already have the unique distinction of producing quality bass from tubes. This reputation is well deserved, as it can reproduce bass notes and drum whacks with weight and authority. But there is more. This amp can sound stage with the best of them, producing tangible images with a sense of 3-dimensionality and air inbetween. Further, these images are very stable with solid edges in the center, only becoming slightly less distinct at the outer edge of the sound stage, and even this characteristic would vary in degree depending on the quality of the recording. If truth of timbre means an instrument sounds "correct," then the Aronov deserve a high grade. This amp is also quite detailed without being analytical. I find myself frequently noticing, "I've never heard that before," without losing the perspective that it is the music to which I am listening rather than doing an analysis on a component in the system. I hear subtle instruments playing in the background, clearly audible through the Aronov, that were not apparent before. I could go on. but you get the picture.

My dislikes...the dual mono is kind of a pain, but my listening room is a bit irregular, so it does help me balance the SPLs on the speakers. The box is subject to resonances, and the transformers hum rather loudly. My speakers now have a sweat spot, and have required that I work at placing them to make them sound their best (they sound much better with the Aronov!) Do I care about these matters? No, this product is more than worth it!

Remember the other components (Marantz CD, Music Metre i-connects) in my system, the fact that I'm using the stock power cord, and no isolation enhancements on the amp, so there is a REAL opportunity for me to improve on my over all sound quality. These will all have to be future purchases. For right now, I'm just enjoying the music.

First some complaints. Dual mono volume control is very annoying. And I can't figure out what rec out selector is for. As far as I can tell, it doesn't do anything. And there is no preout for this unit, making biamping impossible. Also it looks like I am not suppose to open the case up and replace tubes myself. I wonder if I need to send the unit back to get them replaced. That is not going to be good since I almost broke my back carrying this unit to my room. So why don't I quit complaining and send the unit back? Because it sounds damn good. I am going to be living with this amp for quite some time. Its soundstage is better than any solid state I heard to this date, including highly regarded YBA integre and Bryston B60. In fact, I own Bryston B60. I was looking forward to ABing two amps, but there is really no comparison. Bryston sounds flat and lifeless against this unit. Strings and voices sound so mesmerizing even on my modest Vandersteen 1Cs. Just about the only thing I can fault is that bass is a little slow and fat, just slightly. A lot better than most tube amps though. But the soundstage and holographic imaging.. WOW..